Yesterday, Deadline reported that beloved Supernatural star Jared Padalecki shall be becoming a member of the solid of Fireplace Nation for a multi-episode arc within the present’s third season.
Not solely that, the positioning stories that “there’s a chance for the visitor stint to result in a brand new spinoff.”
Hey, a well-liked star joins a well-liked collection! It’s the type of information that everybody could be blissful about … proper?
Effectively, not essentially.
However the excellent news for Padalecki is that he’s not the reason for the combined response.
Is Fireplace Nation Fizzling Out?
In case you’re lively within the present’s Reddit neighborhood otherwise you learn our Fireplace Nation Season 2 spherical desk dialogue, then you understand the consensus amongst viewers is that the collection actually flamed out in its sophomore outing.
The truth is, many fans-turned-critics have puzzled if any drama has ever taken such a dramatic nosedive between its first and second seasons.
There have been extenuating circumstances, after all:
Final 12 months’s author and actor’s strikes resulted in a longer-than-usual hiatus and a shorter-than-usual season.
These are robust obstacles for a younger present to beat, and Fireplace Nation compensated by stuffing each episode filled with plot twists and soapy, high-stakes drama.
The consequence, frankly, was a little bit of a large number.
The season premiere actually featured a jail knife struggle that was interrupted by an earthquake. And issues solely acquired extra ridiculous from there.
In probably the most derided twists, Sabina Gadecki‘s Cara — who served as each Bode’s ex (and potential child mama) and Jake’s present love curiosity — was killed when she momentarily forgot that she had been impaled and lurched ahead to seize a set of keys, thus opening her wound.
Shortly thereafter, the present revealed that Cara’s daughter was not Bode’s, as we had been led to imagine.
The present’s proficient solid does their finest with such bonkers materials, however that was one in every of a number of storylines that left viewers scratching their heads.
After such a rocky season, followers would welcome information that the present’s writers and producers had determined to double down and focus their energies on restoring the collection’ popularity.
As a substitute, they obtained phrase that the Fireplace Nation franchise is increasing.
Fireplace Nation Is Spreading
Sure, even earlier than this week’s Padalecki report, we knew that Fireplace Nation can be taking a web page from the Dick Wolf playbook and branching out with a brand new spinoff.
Morena Baccarin is ready to star in Sheriff Nation, a challenge that’s worrisome for causes past its baffling title.
Like Padalecki, Baccarin is a beloved TV vet whose involvement within the Nation universe started with a stint on the flagship collection.
Now, she’s set to star in her personal NorCal first-responder drama, through which she’ll presumably play the nation sheriff of Sheriff Nation (we will’t with that title).
To be clear, Padalecki and Baccarin are each charismatic stars who’re completely able to carrying their very own collection.
The present’s present solid incorporates a slew of gifted actors, together with Jordan Calloway, Kevin Alejandro, Jules Lattimer, Billy Burke, and Diane Farr, who brings some much-needed levity to the proceedings.
Collection star Max Theriot’s efficiency is a bit too one-note-dour for our style, however he deserves credit score for pulling double obligation as one of many collection’ creators.
(He’s like a younger, jacked Orson Welles. Name him Orson Swells.)
The purpose is that this present remains to be loaded with potential.
Nevertheless it’s arduous to not really feel just like the aggressive growth of the franchise is all occurring too quick.
Fireplace Nation took off like a shot in its first season and shortly turned the most-watched present on TV.
(It’s since been changed by Tracker, one other CBS drama with a little bit of an eccentric premise.)
Positive, it was one other hour-long drama specializing in the trials and tribulations of the oldsters who present up if you dial 911.
However there was a promising twist with this one:
Right here was a present that requested us to root for convicted felons, that promised the kind of long-arc redemption narrative hardly ever seen on community tv.
Within the early days, there have been hopes that the collection would discover the issues inside our legal justice system and the challenges of repairing a damaged household.
As a substitute, Fireplace Nation Season 2 largely consisted of affection triangles and zaniness involving chemical fires.
Perhaps the spinoffs starring Padalecki and Baccarin can ship on the promise of the unique collection.
However why ought to viewers put their belief in a inventive workforce that has already allow them to down as soon as?
If Fireplace Nation have been nonetheless dazzling viewers with a cautious interaction between plausible human drama and white-knuckle motion scenes, we’d be on board with the present growth plan.
As it’s, it appears like this franchise is at risk of going up in flames.
What do you suppose, TV fanatics? Is Fireplace Nation spreading itself too skinny? Are you excited to see Jared Padalecki strap on his boots and helmet?
Hit the feedback part beneath to share your ideas!
